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Stoke plan Griffin appeal

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is planning an appeal after Andy Griffin was sent off against QPR.

Last Updated: 02/03/08 4:34pm

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is planning an appeal after Andy Griffin was sent off against Queens Park Rangers.

The Potters captain was dismissed just before half-time of the 3-0 defeat at Loftus Road following his challenge on Hogan Ephraim.

Griffin did not dive in two-footed and Pulis is hoping that referee Andy D'Urso's decision will be overturned on appeal.

"Yes," Pulis told Sky Sports 1 when asked if he would appeal. "I just hope the referee is big enough, and the people involved in it look at it and say they've made a mistake.

No danger

"That's all we're asking for, we're not asking for anything else.

"I don't think it's a sending off. I think Andy has played the ball and has not put their player in any danger whatsoever. He has slid in to get the ball and played the ball cleanly.

"I'm not sure about the referee's angle. To give the referee a little bit of credit he's on the other side of the pitch, but if you actually watch it, he's not put their player in any danger.

"To get to the ball, he has to lunge a little bit to get there first, but the player's not in the way of the ball, or is not on the ball."

Keep going

The defeat was Stoke's second in succession, but Pulis does not feel it will have a damaging effect on the team's push for promotion to the Premier League.

He added: "I think it's going to be that sort of league, it's how we bounce back.

"We were desperately unlucky not to win at Preston and, although we have not played as well as we can, things conspired against us.

"We hit the bar before they scored and the little things that have been going for us are not going for us, but we have just got to be brave enough, and make sure we are strong enough, to keep it going."